Improvements in pencil-like articles

A pencil or like article (see Group XV) comprises a core, e.g., a pencil lead or crayon, surrounded by a paper sheath secured to the core and wound in successive convolutions around the core, the convolutions being secured together by a binder comprising a thermosetting resin and either a water soluble high molecular weight colloidal polyhydroxy compound or a water soluble protein such as hide glue, fish glue or hydrated collagen. In one example, the binder comprises 36,3 parts by weight hide glue, 65,5 parts dimethylolurea, and 43,3 parts water. In another example, the binder comprises potato starch 50 parts, water 50 parts, and microcrystalline wax 5 parts. Other examples include tapioca dextrin 5 or 72,5 parts, dimethylolurea 75 or 121 parts, water 20 or 56,5 parts and calcium stearate 1 or 2,5 parts; polyvinyl alcohol 10,0 parts, dimethylolurea 66,7 parts, water 23,3 parts; gum acacia 10 parts, dimethylolurea 66,7, and water 23,3 parts; apple pectin 10 parts, water 125 parts, and dimethylolurea 16,7 parts. Formaldehyde condensates such as phenol, furfuryl alcohol urea and melamine may be used separately or in combination as the thermosetting resin to facilitate sharpening the sheath by reducing the toughness of the sheath.